Orthodox commemorate the martyrs of the third century: the history of Saints Carp, Papila, Agathodorus and Agathonika

Today the Russian Orthodox Church remembers the holy martyrs who gave their lives for the faith during the time of the cruel persecution of Christians under the Roman emperor Decius in the III century.

According to church tradition, Saint Karp was a bishop of the Theater Church, and Saint Papila served as his deacon and spiritual disciple. The ruler of the region became aware that they were avoiding participation in pagan festivals. The judge summoned them to him and tried to convince them of the truth of the Roman gods, to which the saints firmly replied that it was indecent to venerate false idols.

For the refusal to renounce the faith followed severe torture. The martyrs were naked, chained in iron chains and dragged after horses through the city, and then dragged from Fiatira to the neighboring city of Sarda. Following their teachers, Agathodorus and Agathonicus (Papila’s sister) voluntarily chose this martyr’s path, deciding to share their fate to the end.

They were executed in Sardis. Agafodor was beaten to death with oxen veins, and Karpa, Papile and Agathonike were chopped off.

It is known that even during the life of Saint Papillus had the gift of healing diseases. Church tradition says that even after his martyric death, he tirelessly gives healing and help to all who resort to him with sincere faith and prayer.